From the desk of Sheriff Mark Gober:

On Wednesday, October 24, 2018, I received a phone call from a concerned citizen regarding dogs barking aggressively in the area of North Gabbert and Calhoun Street in Monticello. I along with deputies went to a location believed to be where the dogs were barking and found an abandoned house with several pit bull dogs chained around the house. In total there were thirteen chained up separately in a large area.

Several of the dogs appeared to have healed up bite wounds to the head and some to the body. Several of the dogs were chained up with large logging chains. Also located on the property were items typically used as equipment associated with training of dogs for dog fighting. Some of the items were a weight sled, weighted collars, treadmill, and other miscellaneous items. Due to the dogs being on large chains and that the dogs were believed to be trained to injure and/or kill other dogs a search warrant was obtained to seize and rescue the dogs from further maltreatment and harm.

With the help of Monticello Second Chance Fur Dogs, the thirteen rescued dogs will be inspected by a veterinarian and kept safe while the case is heard in court proceedings. It is unfortunate that this type of crime takes place however with the help of one concerned citizen we were able to do our job and rescue these animals while enforcing the law. The investigation is still ongoing.